Vancouver, British Columbia — June 23, 2015 — Motorists aren’t quite getting the province’s Move Over message, according to a recent probe by B.C. RCMP Traffic Services.
RCMP and Port Mann police conducted ‘operation shield’ on June 16 at the 192 Street and 160 Street off-ramps of Highway One, enforcing the law requiring drivers slow down and move over when passing parked emergency vehicles with their lights flashing, The Langley Times reports.
Cpl. Ronda Rempel told the Times the area’s motorists have not been following the legislation, initially put in place to protect the lives of roadside emergency responders, including police officers, firefighters, passenger transportation inspectors and tow truck drivers.
“This enforcement operation is an RCMP initiative to address this very serious concern,” Rempel said in the report.
Under the B.C. Motor Vehicle Act Regulations, motorists who fail to abide by the Slow Down Move Over Law and reduce speeds to 70 km/h within 80 km/h zones, or 40 km/h in 80 km/h zones, and move to an adjacent lane if possible, face a fine of $173 and three demerit points.
On January 1, 2015, the law was amended to include any vehicle that flashes a red, blue or yellow amber light, adding road maintenance workers, land surveyors, animal control, and garbage collectors to the list of protected roadside workers, according to Vancity Buzz.
